NEWBARNS TABLE BEER

BEER REVIEW: 440

BREWER: Newbarns, Edinburgh, Scotland

STYLE: Table Beer

ABV: 3%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 13th March 2026

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Table Beer arrives without fuss, no flashy outfit, no over‑designed label, just the quiet confidence of something that knows it belongs in a picnic basket. Once it’s in the glass, though, it starts to charm. A soft amber glow catches the sunlight, and a gentle lemon note drifts up like the first hint of summer.
Take a sip and the mosaic hops step forward, bright and expressive, like someone opening a Tupperware of something unexpectedly delicious. For a 3% beer, it punches well above its weight, full of flavour, clean, and surprisingly characterful for a single-hop brew. The light mouthfeel works in its favour here: refreshing, easy, the kind of beer you can sip between bites of scotch egg or while watching clouds drift by.
There’s a breezy simplicity to it, the sort of drink that doesn’t demand attention but earns it anyway. It’s the beer equivalent of a perfect picnic moment, sun warm on your face, grass under your palms, and everything feeling just a little better than it needs to.
Table Beer might not shout, but it absolutely shines.

Sammy’s Rating: 75%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

This brew, I have to say, is a triumph!

It’s one thing making a beer that is only 3% taste decent. But it is an entirely different level of brewing doing it with just one hop.

Yet Newbarns, in brewing this table beer using only mosaic, have nailed it!

There is flavour a plenty here with lime playing the staring role. As the NTB goes down the initial crisp mouthfeel almost turns a touch creamy in texture whilst remaining crisp. Sounds odd I know but absolutely works.

Of course there is the inevitable drop out at the end for a beer with this ABV, plus the nose ain’t great. But overall, this is a top, top brew…all coming out of a super cool retro tin!

Go find as this is a fantastic option to have on your beer menu.

Jymi’s Rating: 78%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 76.5%

MOB review next weekend: NOAM by NOAM BEER

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2026

SLUSH

BEER REVIEW: 439

BREWER: Prairie Artisan Ales, Oklahoma, USA

STYLE: Sour

ABV: 6.1%

VESSEL: 12fl. Oz. tin

DATE OF POST: 6th March 2026   ♥

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Slush doesn’t so much pour as glide into the glass, thick and fruit‑bright, almost like a juice that’s decided to moonlight as a beer. Before anything else happens, Sweet steps forward with a soft smile, gentle strawberry whisper on the nose, warm and inviting, the kind of greeting that makes you lean in rather than brace yourself.

Then Sour makes its entrance, and the whole story sparks to life. Lemon and lime snap into place with a lively bite, sharp enough to wake every corner of your palate but never harsh. It’s the hero of this tale, the one who rushes in to save the day with a grin and a jolt of electricity. Sour lights the fuse, and the beer happily lets it burn.

Salty lurks at the edges, the character who could cause trouble but chooses not to. It stays quiet, offering just enough presence to keep the flavours bright without ever becoming the loud one in the room.

Bitter, meanwhile, watches from the sidelines like a calm narrator, not pushing, not demanding attention, simply grounding the whole experience so it doesn’t tip into chaos.

Together they create a beer that feels wonderfully balanced despite its boldness. The mouthfeel is strong and satisfying, thick enough to feel indulgent but smooth enough to stay refreshing. The strawberry finish rounds everything off with a final, affectionate touch after the citrus fireworks fade.

Slush ends up being the kind of sour that reminds you why the style is irresistible: vibrant, playful, and unexpectedly easy to drink. A little story in a glass where every character knows exactly when to shine.

Sammy’s Rating: 88%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

F’ me… that smells divine and I’ve not even put my hooter to the glass yet.

Holy holy, look at the colour of it.

I do hope those bits in there are fruit??!!

You’re coming live to my thoughts by the way, do bear with me…

My liiiiiife that’s good. No, great. This is stunning.

Strawberry in mouth, Raspberry, lemon and lime in swallow. Man, this is gooooooood. Could it be a touch more sour? It defo is sour. But would I like it a bit more sour? Yes, probably, but that’s just me. Shall I make a fruit curry tonight? Maybe, lets finish this beer test first then a have a think about things.

You’re still coming live to my thoughts, I can only apologise…

Is my garage roof f’ing leaking?! This beer is delightful. Woah, hang on, is there a little dip, fade out pre aftertaste? Yes. Only tiny. And maybe clever to give you a millisecond respite pre aftertaste. But I don’t want Slush to let up at all. Maybe this is good for regular sipping folk though?, not the sour addicts…, …. Still, either way, this is flippin’ divine.

I’ve put orange and raisins in a curry before, no way I can do strawberries and raspberries is there? No, absolutely no. The garage roof is definitely leaking. 

I’m going to buy more of that Slush when I see it. FANTASTIC BREW!

Jymi’s Rating: 92%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 90%

MOB review next weekend: TABLE BEER by NEWBARNS

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2026 

MURPHY’S

BEER REVIEW: 438

BREWER: Heiniken, Lothian, Scotland

STYLE: Stout

ABV: 4%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 27th February 2026

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Murphy’s is back!!!

Did it ever go away? I’m really not sure. But suddenly I’m seeing it on posters, in pubs and on supermarket shelves once more.

Before I do the expert one handed tin spin to reveal more info on the back of the can, I do have fears of what’s gone on here…

Tin spin completed with aplomb.

Yep. Heineken. Heineken are involved. Of course they f’ing are.

I’m beyond these big boy take over rants though (you know they will be back once I’m in the mood however!).

Let’s just look at the Murph for what it is…

And it’s totally fine and drinkable. There isn’t a huge amount of flavour but what you do get are little tickles of sweetness balanced with a back end of bitterness. There is a touch of smoke and a hint of chocolate too. But none of it sings. There is zero pizazz.

However, Murph, as mentioned, is perfectly drinkable even if only really being a bit, meh.

Jymi’s Rating: 59%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Murphy’s is the stout you reach for when you want the comfort of something familiar but with a slightly different accent. It pours a deep, velvety black with a tight, creamy head that settles like a well‑rehearsed ritual. The aroma leans into roasted malt, soft cocoa, and a whisper of caramel, nothing showy, just quietly confident.
On the palate, Murphy’s is smooth and rounded, almost gentle. The roasted barley brings a mellow bitterness, but it never sharpens into anything aggressive. Instead, you get chocolate notes, a touch of toffee, and a finish that’s clean rather than lingering. It’s the kind of stout that feels like it’s trying to make friends with everyone in the room.
Is it as iconic or complex as Guinness? Not quite. Guinness has that unmistakable tang and a slightly more assertive character that gives it its legendary status. But Murphy’s isn’t far behind. It’s like the dependable sibling who doesn’t need the spotlight to be appreciated, less famous, slightly softer, but absolutely worth your time.
A smooth, approachable stout with classic Irish charm. Not quite Guinness, but close enough that you’ll happily finish the pint while debating the difference.

Sammy’s Rating: 64%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 61.5%

MOB review next weekend: SLUSH by PRAIRIE ARTISAN ALES

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2026

BOSKO

BEER REVIEW: 437

BREWER: Pressure Drop, North London, England

STYLE: West Coast IPA

ABV: 6.5%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 2oth February 2026

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Bosco, what does that mean then?

Other than Bosco Rogers, the Franco-English retro rock duo, I can’t think of another time that I’ve heard the word.

I’m gonna have to hit the Googleweb arnt I?!

Damn it, yeah I am…

John Bosco. An Italian Catholic priest and writer.

I’m not sure that is the base of today’s beer name.

Bosco Pizzeria in Bristol.

Nope, that won’t be it.

Aaaaaaaaaaah, Bosco is Italian for Forest!!!

And Bosco IPA has plenty of pine character AND is brewed using the greenest of all the hops, Mosaic. Woah, woah woah… hold up. It’s spelt with a K.

B O S K O . Bosko was a cartoon character wasn’t he??!

Right, let’s forget the name, blimey… we need to go back to the beginning of my journey with Bosko.

I was in a bit of a rush when buying these tins to test, it’s no excuse for what I’m about to state, but I’m just laying it down, that’s all.

See, I’d stumbled across a bottle shop in Little Venice, London, that I had previously been unaware of. I had 5 mins to spare so nipped in to see what that place was like, of course, and to grab a brace for me and me boi Sammy to test. Five minutes is nowhere near enough time to fully immerse yourself into making a beer selection. So I rushed it. The main reason that this has made a difference is that I failed to read the info on the back of the tin. All I saw was the rather saucy tin art and the letters I P A.

Once test day came about finally the tin was turned only to reveal that this was in fact a West Coast IPA.

Now, seeing as we are reviewing this brew, it matters not what I bought. Zany, plain, craft, trad, tin, bottle, strong, weak, bottle shop, supermarket, stout or sour. If it’s a beer, it’s going under the all seeing MOB… nose.

However, if I had a just been buying as a general consumer I would have been pretty F’ed off if I had ended up with a Westy when I thought I was just grabbing an IPA. Especially as West Coast IPAs are pretty divisive what with their very hop forward bitter nature.

But like I said, the fact Bosko was getting tested meant that ultimately it did not matter one iota.

So how was this surprise of a Westy?!

Well, oddly, it would work well as an entry level Westy! Maybe for folk that bought it without knowing what it was??!! Surely this cannot have been the intention Pressure Drop?? What on earth is going on here. I’ve got myself in a fizz.

Ok, ok, ok… Bosko is good but not knocking it out of the park. There is a good lemony nose to lead the way. There are notes of caramel, pine and citrus. And the bitterness associated with a West Coast is there, but dialled down a tickle. Not always a bad thing and certainly a good thing if you wanted an IPA but ended up with Bosko, by accident.

Without going back to see, I feel this review could well be 10,000 words long so I’m gonna leave it there. I hope you at least understood some of the waffling.

I bid you good day.

Jymi’s Rating: 75%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Slide into a low-lit booth, sax humming in the background, and Bosko strolls in like a regular who knows the band by name. Nothing flashy about the look, packaging’s as average as a Tuesday night crowd. But once the glass hits the table, the mood shifts.
In the light, Bosko glows amber‑brown, caramel‑rich, with a head that settles like a velvet curtain before the first note. Bring it to your nose and the tune changes: pine and mango step forward like a brass duo warming up, bright, confident, and right on tempo.
The first sip? That’s where Bosko starts to riff. Sweet caramel up top, a little burnt edge on the fade-out, pine weaving through like a walking bassline, and a flick of lime zest that snaps its fingers at you. Mid-bodied, smooth enough to lean back into, with just enough texture to keep you listening.
For 6.5%, it plays it cool, no boozy bravado, no heavy-handed solos. Just an easy, drinkable groove that knows exactly when to step forward and when to lay back.
Bosko isn’t trying to steal the spotlight. It’s the steady player in the corner, delivering a set that’s warm, balanced, and quietly impressive. A solid drop with a little swagger in its step.

Sammy’s Rating: 76%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 75.5%

MOB review next weekend: MURPHY’S by HEINEKEN

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2026

CHAMPION

BEER REVIEW: 436

BREWER: McEwan’s (Carlsberg Marstons), West Midlands, England

STYLE: Strong Ale

ABV: 7.3%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 13th February 2026

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Champion walks into the ring with an 18% scorecard and the confidence of someone who hasn’t looked in a mirror since their last real win. One sip and you realise this isn’t a fallen champion, it’s a fighter who never should’ve been allowed near the title in the first place.
It pours a dirty brown, the colour of defeat, with a head so limited it’s practically throwing in the towel before the bell even rings. Nothing about it says strength or presence. It looks exhausted.
The nose? A single, limp jab: earthy notes mixed with overripe banana. Not the good kind of banana, more the kind you find at the bottom of a gym bag after a three‑day tournament. It’s a warning sign, and the taste confirms it.
Sweetness hits first, clumsy and uncontrolled, followed by a muddied bitterness that can’t decide what it’s doing. The label claims “full-bodied, smooth and complex,” but that’s pure delusion. This thing is thin, flabby, and utterly one-dimensional. The banana theme lingers like a fighter who doesn’t know where the ring even is.
Mouthfeel? Zero. It’s like drinking the memory of a beer rather than an actual beer.
Champion by name, but that’s where the fantasy ends. This is a catastrophic performance, an embarrassment to the division, even. Not just bad. Not just disappointing. Absolutely, unequivocally awful.
If this beer stepped into the ring, the referee would stop the fight out of mercy.

Sammy’s Rating: 18%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

We have a robust 7.4% strong ale here folks. It blends old school heft with some surprisingly nuanced character. It is ultimately a sipper, enjoyable but demanding with a slightly medicinal undertone.

Appearance:

Pours a murky, unrefined brown, reminiscent of dirty dishwater or thin gravy with a slightly soily cast rather than a polished, bright pint.​

The look does under sell Champion slightly, giving a rustic, almost careless impression in the glass.​

Aroma:

The nose is where Champion redeems that scruffy appearance however.  Pronounced berries and winter fruit give it a rich, seasonal, almost Christmas pud edge.​

This fruity bouquet promises depth and warmth, hinting at the strong ale strength without coming across as particularly boozy.

Flavour and mouthfeel:

The first sip hits hard, real hard, with the alcohol showing its presence early before the palate acclimatises and the beer settles into a more manageable groove halfway through the glass.​

Bitterness sits high, focused on the roof of the mouth, with a slightly cloying body that makes the beer feel dense and sticky rather than crisp.

As for the flavour there are nutty notes, a faint metallic edge, and small tickles of caramel that add interest without fully smoothing out the rougher elements.​

Drinkability and impression:

Champion is firmly a one ‘n done beer. Enjoyable to a point yet hard going, the sort of strong ale to sip slowly rather than sink in rounds.​

Despite its heaviness and aesthetic flaws, it delivers enough flavour and character to be considered an ok enough beer overall. Champion is just about one to try for those who like bold, traditional strong ales. But when all is said and done, there are far superior brews out there of a similar style.

Jymi’s Rating: 54%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 36%

MOB review next weekend: BOSKO by PRESSURE DROP

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2026

POSH

BEER REVIEW: 435

BREWER: Forest Road Brew Co., East London, England

STYLE: British Lager

ABV: 4.1%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 6th February 2026

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

You crack open the can and there he is; some bloke with a moustache and his pinkie in the air like he’s sipping champagne at a polo match. Beige and brown all over, like someone tried to make a pint look like a tweed jacket. Fair play, the design’s alright. Retro. Bit of charm. But then you clock the name: Posh Lager. And that’s when the confusion sets in.
Because let’s be honest, lager’s the people’s drink. It’s what you have at the footie, at the pub, at your mate’s BBQ when someone’s burnt the sausages. It’s not supposed to come with airs and graces. So calling it posh? That’s like putting a monocle on a sausage roll. You take a sniff. Smells like lager. Nothing fancy. No elderflower mist or bergamot nonsense. Just malt. Bit boggy.
First sip’s got a whisper of sherbet and some mild hops, which sounds promising until it all goes thin. Real thin. Like someone dropped a lemon sweet in a glass of water and called it a day. There’s a sour finish that tries to be clever but ends up feeling like a mistake. And once your taste buds settle in, it’s just watery. No body. No backbone. Like it’s trying to be posh but forgot to bring the flavour.
You sit there wondering who this beer’s for. Not for the bloke in the hi-vis after a shift. Not for the lass at the local with her crisps and pint. Not for anyone who actually likes lager. It’s lager pretending to be something it’s not. And that’s the real issue. If you’re going to call yourself posh, you better bring something to the table besides a fancy label and a moustache.
In the end, it’s a lager that’s forgotten its roots. And if you’re going to dress up like royalty, don’t show up tasting like tap water.

Sammy’s Rating: 38%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised by Posh. Reason being is that I thought it was going to be f’ing terrible! Let me explain…

A 4%ish lager brewed in Britain will naturally fill me with fear. Firstly this kind of percentage is normally, not always, but normally way too low to bring anything to the party flavour wise. 9 times from 10 they will be somewhere between a damp squib and ruddy bloody awful. So Posh being 4.1% and stating very clearly that it is a British lager did not fill me with much hope at all, regardless of the name. I also think that the packaging is SHOCKING! Butterscotch colour? For a lager tin? Whaaaaat? Add in a dodgy graphic of a supposedly Posh dude and the huge name POSH… naaaaaaaa.

However, once eventually sipping, this brew was good ya know!!

There is good amount of flavour here seeing the low percentage and British water. A touch of lime and tickle of lemon get’s the drinker to raise an eyebrow in surprised approval. A very easy beer that as mentioned, pleasantly surprised me.

Not bad at all Forest Road, I have to say.

Jymi’s Rating: 75%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 56.5%

MOB review next weekend: CHAMPION by McEWAN’S

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2026

LOOPER

BEER REVIEW: 434

BREWER: Full Circle Brew Co., Tyne & Wear, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 6.4%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 30th January 2026

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Looper, the beer, is a lot like Looper, the detective, scruffy, unpredictable, and somehow still likeable. It pours a hazy amber-orange, with a decent head and a look that says, “I’ve been through some things.” The nose is Looper’s best clue: juicy mango with a whisper of pineapple, like a tropical lead he’s chasing down in a rain-soaked alley.
Taste-wise, it opens with bitter mango, sharp, a bit chaotic, then veers into sherbet fizz, like Looper’s half-baked theories. There’s balance, but not brilliance. The sweetness creeps in like a suspect who overstays their welcome. For the ABV, you’d expect more punch, more length, more resolution. Instead, it fades like a half-solved case.
Packaging? Serviceable. Colours work, but the design’s as forgettable as Looper’s filing system. The name nails it, though, quirky, memorable, and just offbeat enough to stick.
In short, Looper is an OK drop. Not revolutionary, not refined. But if you’re in the mood for something that stumbles its way to satisfaction, this detective’s got your back. Just don’t expect him to crack the big case.

Sammy’s Rating: 63%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Before even lifting the lid on Looper I have a couple of things I would like to say regarding the tin aesthetic…

Firstly, the tin art. Not great I’m afraid Full Circle. Though I wouldn’t say that it’s in the terrible bracket necessarily, maybe not unwelcoming it certainly is underwhelming. It’s so boring, and the colours… yawn indeed. This is not to say unadventurous tin art is a bad thing. Basic is the new zany after all, but I do think this beers housing could have been presented a whole lot better.

Secondly, now this is just me being a picky idiot but I have to mention it… Is Full Circles logo a semi circle?! Am I missing something here? All a bit odd.

Anyway, let’s crack the can and find out what this brew is all about.

Wow, she pours very thick and very dark! Not a bad thing at all but I can’t say that I was expecting it! The nose is great, very full and a slight break from the IPA norm with slight hints of apricot, I think. The taste is pleasant, pretty good in fact, but I have to say that I had a real tough time trying to decipher what it actually tasted of. Maybe a touch of lime? Possibly the bitter flavour of grapefruit? Burnt orange possibly? I really don’t know if I’m being honest. The mouthfeel and body of Looper is good for sure. Nice and full from start to finish. Also, there is a light bitterness to ease you into your Loop that slowly builds as you progress on your way through the beer.

Without being spectacular Looper is an ok drop and does most certainly drink like a 6.4% craft IPA.

Jymi’s Rating: 71%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 67%

MOB review next weekend: POSH by FOREST ROAD BREWING CO.

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2026

BUZZKILL

BEER REVIEW: 433

BREWER: Mad Squirrel, Hertfordshire, England

STYLE: New England IPA

ABV: 6.5%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 23rd January 2026

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Buzzkill sets itself up with a name that promises mischief or at least a bit of edge. You expect something bold, maybe even a little chaotic. Instead, what arrives is a beer that feels like it’s trying to be interesting but keeps second-guessing itself.
The packaging is decent. Gold and black always suggest a bit of swagger, and the colours do catch the eye. But then there’s that strange line effect in the background, like static on a telly that’s lost its signal. It doesn’t ruin it, but it does make you squint a bit and wonder what the point was.
The nose is citrusy and clean. Lemon leads, with a flicker of bitter orange that’s actually quite nice. It sets up a promising start. First sip is bitter, almost too much so, but then it swings into sweet orange territory. The shift is quick, like someone changing the radio station mid-song. It’s not unpleasant, but it’s not exactly smooth either.
There’s no real complexity. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster, bitter then sweet, then not much else. You keep waiting for something more to arrive, a deeper note or a clever twist, but it never comes. The mouthfeel is fine, nothing to complain about, but nothing to write home about either.
Buzzkill isn’t a bad beer. It’s just one that doesn’t live up to its own name. You expect a punch, maybe a bit of drama, and instead you get a polite nod and a shrug. It’s drinkable, yes. You’d have another if someone handed it to you. But you wouldn’t chase it down. It’s the kind of beer that turns up to the party, makes a few comments, and leaves early.

Sammy’s Rating: 61%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

If I had tested / drunk Buzzkill (incredible name btw, especially coming from a black and gold tin) I would have said it was a tasty crushable 4.7% (ish) New England IPA. There is orange and mango flair throughout and this brews texture is smooooooth. And because of this Buzzkill is highly drinkable.

However, this is a 6.5% Double Dry Hopped IPA. So the fact that the nose, taste and aftertaste fade as well as the the body being fairly light means that Buzzkill was ultimately a disappointment.

I think this beer’s strength is also it’s weakness here.

Regular drinking conditions would see Buzzkill fly down, which in turn would be highly dangerous at 6.5%. But under test conditions it doesn’t deliver where it should.

Lovely beer but I think the usually very dependable Mad Squirrel just needed to dial this one up a bit.

Jymi’s Rating: 73%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 67%

MOB review next weekend: LOOPER by FULL CIRCLE BREW CO.

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2026

VEDETT EXTRA PILSNER

BEER REVIEW: 432

BREWER: Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat, Antwerp, Belgium

STYLE: Pilsner

ABV: 5.2%

VESSEL: 330ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 16th January 2026

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

If Vedett Extra Pilsner were a moped, it’d be the kind that hums along without fuss—no turbo boost, no flashy decals, just a clean, reliable ride. The kind you hop on for a quick spin through town and end up appreciating for its quiet competence.

The first impression is crisp, with a nose that hints at lemon but mostly sticks to the classic pilsner script. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, and that’s part of its charm. The taste is refreshing, nicely balanced, with a gentle bitterness that rolls in just before a touch of sweetness. Crucially, it avoids the cloying aftertaste that plagues lesser lagers—this one knows when to ease off the throttle.

Packaging-wise, it’s a mixed bag. The front label has a clean, appealing look, but the back feels like someone slapped a commercial on your rear fender. The bottle shape, though, is a win—compact and easy to grip, like a well-designed handlebar.

There’s nothing groundbreaking here, but that’s not the point. Extra Pilsner plays it straight and does so with quiet confidence. It’s the kind of beer you’d happily reach for again—not because it dazzles, but because it delivers. Solid, unfussy, and refreshingly honest. Just like a good moped.

Sammy’s Rating: 70%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Only needs to be short (like me) and sweet (like me) this one.

VEP is a really good brew, a really good brew, and has instantly become a fridge filler, if the price is right.

See, VEP is not out of this world, but is very very good and a great representation of the pilsner style, even though it’s from Belgium.

It drinks with a good spike to the flavour and a perfect spice level. Good body, good flavour, fairly easy to get hold of and reasonably affordable.

If you like beer, you will like this…

Just go and pick some up will ya!

Jymi’s Rating: 71%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 70.5%

MOB review next weekend: BUZZKILL by MAD SQUIRREL

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

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M O B 2026

KIRIN ICHIBAN

BEER REVIEW: 431

BREWER: Bryggt och Tappat, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

STYLE: Lager

ABV: 5%

VESSEL: 330ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 9th January 2026

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Kirin Lager is the kind of beer that turns up with a polite smile and a pressed shirt, ready to mingle but not quite ready to dance. It’s got the charm of a well-behaved guest at a garden party: pleasant, inoffensive, and just a little bit forgettable. But let’s not be too harsh. There’s fun to be had here, even if it’s the kind that involves gentle nods rather than belly laughs.
The pour is clean and golden, with a fizz that’s more polite than enthusiastic. It settles quickly, leaving a modest head that vanishes like someone who’s just remembered they left the oven on. The nose is light and citrusy, with a faint whiff of grain and a whisper of lemon. It’s not going to win any awards for complexity, but it’s fresh enough to make you lean in for a second sniff.
First sip? It’s crisp. There’s a flash of malt, a touch of sweetness, and then a slightly metallic bitterness that arrives like an unexpected guest and stays just a bit too long. It’s not unpleasant, but it does make you wonder if the party’s about to wind down. There’s a hint of rice in the background – subtle, clean, and very much in keeping with Kirin’s Japanese roots – but it doesn’t do much to elevate the experience. It’s like someone brought sushi to a barbecue and forgot the soy sauce.
The mouthfeel is thin. Not watery exactly, but definitely on the lean side. It slides across the tongue like a beer that’s trying to be refreshing but forgot to bring its personality. You keep sipping, hoping it’ll thicken up or throw in a surprise, but it stays resolutely mild. It’s the kind of texture that makes you reach for crisps just to give your mouth something to do.
Packaging is solid. The gold and white label has a kind of retro elegance, and the mythical beast on the front, part dragon, part horse, part “what is that exactly?”, adds a touch of flair. It’s the kind of packaging you wouldn’t mind being seen with, even if you’re not quite sure what it’s trying to say. The name gets a tick. “Kirin” sounds cool, mysterious, and vaguely powerful. Shame the beer doesn’t quite live up to it.
It does get a nod for being easy going. You could drink this at a barbecue, a midweek dinner, or while watching a film you’ve already seen three times. It’s not going to distract you, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want. But if you’re looking for depth, complexity, or a beer that makes you sit up and say “ooh,” this isn’t it.
Kirin Lager is a bit of a let down in the nicest possible way. It promises a mythical experience and delivers something more like a polite shrug. You won’t hate it. You might even enjoy it. But you’ll probably forget it by the time you’ve finished it. And maybe that’s okay. Not every beer needs to be a revelation. Some just need to be cold, fizzy, and vaguely agreeable. Kirin ticks those boxes. And then quietly exits stage left.

Sammy’s Rating: 55%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

The year was 1995. I was working at a local sports bar cleaning snooker tables and Sammy was trying to pull in some spending money for fags, cheap lager and CDs by plying his trade at the former supermarket, Somerfield. I distinctly remember one Saturday. I was staying over at Sam’s house, we had both been working that day and had also just been paid. It was going to be a big night. It was also Sammy’s first pay cheque from Somerfield.

Now the gig I had at the sports bar was a good one. Working on a Tuesday and Saturday I would receive £40 a week to clean and iron 10 snooker tables each day. I also got unlimited free snooker as well as free beer. I really was onto a winner, especially as once I got the technique down, 10 tables only took me 90 minutes.

But back to big pay day Saturday…

I think we had stuck on a Sonic Youth record. Sam was primed, brown envelope in hand. We had no idea what it was going to contain as he had forgotten how many hours he had worked and also hadn’t been informed what rate he was on.

It’s important for context here that you remember that I was earning £40 for 3 hours work plus unlimited snooker and beer.

Envelope opened. £47.90.

‘Not bad at all son!’ I exclaimed.

‘For 21 hours work… THAT’S £2.28 A FUCKING HOUR!’ Sam wailed!

This makes me giggle to this day! Not because of Sammy’s misfortune but because of the extreme reaction. However, once we realised that we had almost £90 between us spirits were high once more and the big night out was BACK ON!

Now, you maybe wondering why I telling this completely unnecessary anecdote? Well, the free beer I was getting from the sports bar, was Kirin!

Do I remember what it was like back then? No, not at all. But I’m fairly sure I liked it.

Thirty years on, let’s see how the brew today fares…

Ok, for the European market it is now brewed in Germany, not Japan. Bit of a shame but makes sense business wise I suppose.

Beer wise I have to say that what I got was TOTALLY unexpected…

A surprisingly good full honey nose leads the way. In the mouth it’s a touch dry and a touch bitter. In the swallow there is definitely a tickle of lime. The aftertaste is bitter and hoppy with the late aftertaste being slightly acrid and a touch smoky.

Remember, this is a lager!

Now while all of this was perfectly pleasant, you can see why I was taken aback!

Kirin, though clearly tasting like a lager does not behave like one at all.

This is a decent enough beer for sure, but oddly complex for it’s style. Worth a go without a doubt but if you’re looking for a summertime crushable brew, I’d say look elsewhere.

Jymi’s Rating: 64%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 59.5%

MOB review next weekend: VEDETT EXTRA PILSNER by BROUWERIJ DUVEL MOORTGAT

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2026